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Connect printer to wireless network — Parallax Forums

Connect printer to wireless network

MoskogMoskog Posts: 554
edited 2011-03-29 17:55 in General Discussion
Not Parallax-related topic but I take the chance.
Anyone her who know what kind of equimpment I need to be able to access a printer who only have USB connection. The printer is placed upstairs, my laptop is usually placed in the living room downstairs.
Printer is a Canon laserprinter that is connected via USB to a stationary PC upststairs. Printer is not a network printer. I rather don't want to leave the PC upstairs on all the time to act like a server, I am looking for a better solution. Any idea?

Comments

  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2011-03-29 05:22
    You'll need a wireless lan printer bridge. They have usb jacks the printer plugs in and are configured via a web page from a computer. Check the compatibility with your printer because not all printers will work with them.
  • MoskogMoskog Posts: 554
    edited 2011-03-29 08:26
    OK, thanks, Martin.
    I found something here that could work, not too expensive and also sold in a nearby store. But there is no information on if its compatible with my printer. The printer is an HP laserjet 1010, not Canon as mistyped above.

    Now I face another problem. I have a second PC upstairs, not connected to or used against internet, who also use this printer. This PC doesnt have any virus protection either. There is an old version of Explorer installed to read internal HTML-pages, no Outlook. If I connect this PC to the wireless network will it be an easy target from worms and viruses and stuff like that?
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2011-03-29 10:14
    I can't be sure without looking at your network configuration, but odds are the nodes on your wireless network are on a private subnet using network address translation (NAT0 to access the internet. This means they are not visible to outside notes unless port mapping back to a specific node is set up. The second attack vector would be someone connecting to your wireless network directly. You need to make sure you are at least using WEP and preferably WPA to secure access. Taking things a step further, some people use MAC address filtering, but I personally do not do that.
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-03-29 11:33
    The new Wireless USB HUB from Parallax looks like it might work.

    http://www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/CommunicationRF/tabid/161/ProductID/741/List/0/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName


    Martin_H wrote: »
    I can't be sure without looking at your network configuration, but odds are the nodes on your wireless network are on a private subnet using network address translation (NAT0 to access the internet. This means they are not visible to outside notes unless port mapping back to a specific node is set up. The second attack vector would be someone connecting to your wireless network directly. You need to make sure you are at least using WEP and preferably WPA to secure access. Taking things a step further, some people use MAC address filtering, but I personally do not do that.
  • MoskogMoskog Posts: 554
    edited 2011-03-29 12:19
    Martin_H, The problem could be the the PINK-gate. I have a PINK-server connected, I think it's through port 80 or something.
    As living in a very remote area I think the chance of attack into the wireless network itself is very limited.

    Publison, that thing look interesting, though there are a couple of setbacks; Seems like I would have to go upstairs to choose PC on the device when I want a printout. Another thing , also seems like it runs only on Vista and XP, I'm running seven!

    Thank you both for replies.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2011-03-29 12:56
    Maybe time for a new wifi router anyway?
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320023&Tpk=ASUS%20WL-520gU

    USB printer port and also DD-WRT_mini_usb compatible
  • $WMc%$WMc% Posts: 1,884
    edited 2011-03-29 17:55
    If you have a LAN set-up.(WiFi)
    '
    Then you can set the printer on the PC to sharing on the LAN.
    '
    You simply call the printer on the PC from your laptop.
    '
    Note: you must have your LAN and Work Group all on the same page.
    '
    http://www.ehow.com/how_2295158_share-printer-lan.html
    '
    Their are some better sites with more info if this doesn't help. Just google LAN printer.
    '
    Note the PC can be hard wired via Ethernet to the WiFi router.
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